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Part 42 U.K.Statutory Auditors

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1Pt. 42 applied (with modifications) (4.4.2014 for specified purposes, 16.12.2014 in so far as not already in force) by Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 (c. 2), s. 49(1), Sch. 5 paras. 1-27 (with Sch. 13 para. 11); S.I. 2014/900, art. 2(j); S.I. 2014/3319, art. 2(e) (as amended: (31.12.2020) by S.I. 2019/177, regs. 2, 57; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1) and S.I. 2019/504, regs. 1(2), 3-6; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1); and (1.7.2022) by 2022 c. 31, s. 186(6), Sch. 4 para. 216, Sch. 7 para. 28; S.I. 2022/734, reg. 2(a), Sch. (with regs. 13, 29, 30))

C3Pt. 42: functions transferred in part (6.4.2008 in accordance with art. 1 of the amending S.I.) by The Statutory Auditors (Delegation of Functions etc) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/496), art. 4 (which amending S.I. was revoked (2.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1741, art. 6)

Chapter 2U.K.Individuals and firms

Eligibility for appointmentU.K.

1212Individuals and firms: eligibility for appointment as a statutory auditorU.K.

(1)An individual or firm is eligible for appointment as a statutory auditor if the individual or firm—

(a)is a member of a recognised supervisory body, and

(b)is eligible for appointment under the rules of that body.

(2)In the cases to which section 1222 applies (individuals retaining only 1967 Act authorisation) a person's eligibility for appointment as a statutory auditor is restricted as mentioned in that section.

1213Effect of ineligibilityU.K.

(1)No person may act as statutory auditor of an audited person if he is ineligible for appointment as a statutory auditor.

(2)If at any time during his term of office a statutory auditor becomes ineligible for appointment as a statutory auditor, he must immediately—

(a)resign his office (with immediate effect), and

(b)give notice in writing to the audited person that he has resigned by reason of his becoming ineligible for appointment.

(3)A person is guilty of an offence if—

(a)he acts as a statutory auditor in contravention of subsection (1), or

(b)he fails to give the notice mentioned in paragraph (b) of subsection (2) in accordance with that subsection.

(4)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (3) is liable—

(a)on conviction on indictment, to a fine;

(b)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum.

(5)A person is guilty of an offence if—

(a)he has been convicted of an offence under subsection (3)(a) or this subsection, and

(b)he continues to act as a statutory auditor in contravention of subsection (1) after the conviction.

(6)A person is guilty of an offence if—

(a)he has been convicted of an offence under subsection (3)(b) or this subsection, and

(b)he continues, after the conviction, to fail to give the notice mentioned in subsection (2)(b).

(7)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (5) or (6) is liable—

(a)on conviction on indictment, to a fine;

(b)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding [F1one-tenth of the statutory maximum][F1one-tenth of the greater of £5,000 or the amount corresponding to level 4 on the standard scale for summary offences] for each day on which the act or the failure continues.

(8)In proceedings against a person for an offence under this section it is a defence for him to show that he did not know and had no reason to believe that he was, or had become, ineligible for appointment as a statutory auditor.